Meanshift Shape Formation Control Using Discrete Mass Distribution

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Cai, Yichen, Gao, Yuan, Li, Pengpeng, Wang, Wei, Sun, Guibin, Lü, Jinhu
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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_version_ 1866911413720580096
author Cai, Yichen
Gao, Yuan
Li, Pengpeng
Wang, Wei
Sun, Guibin
Lü, Jinhu
author_facet Cai, Yichen
Gao, Yuan
Li, Pengpeng
Wang, Wei
Sun, Guibin
Lü, Jinhu
contents The density-distribution method has recently become a promising paradigm owing to its adaptability to variations in swarm size. However, existing studies face practical challenges in achieving complex shape representation and decentralized implementation. This motivates us to develop a fully decentralized, distribution-based control strategy with the dual capability of forming complex shapes and adapting to swarm-size variations. Specifically, we first propose a discrete mass-distribution function defined over a set of sample points to model swarm formation. In contrast to the continuous density-distribution method, our model eliminates the requirement for defining continuous density functions-a task that is difficult for complex shapes. Second, we design a decentralized meanshift control law to coordinate the swarm's global distribution to fit the sample-point distribution by feeding back mass estimates. The mass estimates for all sample points are achieved by the robots in a decentralized manner via the designed mass estimator. It is shown that the mass estimates of the sample points can asymptotically converge to the true global values. To validate the proposed strategy, we conduct comprehensive simulations and real-world experiments to evaluate the efficiency of complex shape formation and adaptability to swarm-size variations.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2602_00980
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Meanshift Shape Formation Control Using Discrete Mass Distribution
Cai, Yichen
Gao, Yuan
Li, Pengpeng
Wang, Wei
Sun, Guibin
Lü, Jinhu
Robotics
The density-distribution method has recently become a promising paradigm owing to its adaptability to variations in swarm size. However, existing studies face practical challenges in achieving complex shape representation and decentralized implementation. This motivates us to develop a fully decentralized, distribution-based control strategy with the dual capability of forming complex shapes and adapting to swarm-size variations. Specifically, we first propose a discrete mass-distribution function defined over a set of sample points to model swarm formation. In contrast to the continuous density-distribution method, our model eliminates the requirement for defining continuous density functions-a task that is difficult for complex shapes. Second, we design a decentralized meanshift control law to coordinate the swarm's global distribution to fit the sample-point distribution by feeding back mass estimates. The mass estimates for all sample points are achieved by the robots in a decentralized manner via the designed mass estimator. It is shown that the mass estimates of the sample points can asymptotically converge to the true global values. To validate the proposed strategy, we conduct comprehensive simulations and real-world experiments to evaluate the efficiency of complex shape formation and adaptability to swarm-size variations.
title Meanshift Shape Formation Control Using Discrete Mass Distribution
topic Robotics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.00980